Jabal Umm Nuthaylah International Site Design Ideas Competition
We invite design professionals, studios, and multidisciplinary teams from around the world to participate in an international ideas competition of the highest ambition. Eight teams will be selected to reimagine Jabal Umm Nuthaylah, a volcanic site 14 km south of Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi, as a destination of cultural, ecological, and experiential significance.
| Category | Idea Competition |
| Type | International, Idea, Architects, Two-Stage, Anonymous |
| Genre | Landscape, Redevelopment |
| Country | Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
| RegDeadline | 20 August 2026 GoogleCal iCal |
| 20 August 2026 (via Online) | |
| Eligibility | At least one member must have 3+ years of professional experience in architecture, landscape, or urban design. |
Description
The Al-Madinah Region Development Authority (MDA) invites design professionals, studios, and multidisciplinary teams from around the world to participate in an international ideas competition of the highest ambition. Eight teams will be selected to reimagine Jabal Umm Nuthaylah, a volcanic site 14 km south of Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi, as a destination of cultural, ecological, and experiential significance.
This is an ideas competition with build potential. MDA retains the option to commission the winning team, in whole or in part, to develop or implement elements of the winning proposal.
Good proposals start with the land. The harrat terrain, its drainage, its elevations and its heat should drive the design concept from the first sketch.
Cultural and religious sensitivity is not optional. Hejazi craft traditions, volcanic basalt, and traditional building techniques belong in the work itself, not applied as surface detail. Each team submits one complete proposal: masterplan, architecture, landscape, and visualisations in a single integrated package.
Jury
Not yet announced
Prize
1st Place: $120,000
2nd Place: $90,000
3rd Place: $60,000
8 Teams: On verified submission, each team is paid USD 20,000.
Entry Fee
None
Timetable
Verification & Selection: 14 Sep 2026
Design Submission: 23 Nov 2026
Jury Evaluation: 24 Nov to 7 Dec 2026
Winners announcement at the Award Ceremony: 10 December 2026
Organizer
Al-Madinah Region Development Authority (MDA) operated by AlMunawarah Innovates